Mainstage

It's the long awaited Cornfest weekend here in Jarvis! This is a huge summer event where the community pulls together to put on a big fair full of carnival rides, fried food, vendor booths, games, concerts, crafts, fireworks and tractor pulls (yup, we live in a small town). Our church had a booth set up to invite people to worship with us. Zach and I manned the booth for a two-hour shift and had a great time people watching. We spotted some pretty impressive mullets and got to chat with some fun folks.
On Sunday our church hosted the service. All the local churches and community members were invited. It was a great turn out and Zach got to experience leading worship and preaching on a mainstage. It was fun to see him up there.

It was quite funny to see an enormous blow up beer can right next to the stage. Zach made a joke that if anyone gets lost during the church service all they have to do is look for the enormous beer can and listen for his voice.

Buffalo or Bust

We celebrated our first anniversary by heading to Buffalo for a night away. While we were checking in at the hotel, we told the clerk that we were celebrating our first anniversary and asked, with a smile, if there were any anniversary specials. We were thrilled to get upgraded to a nicer room and receive a $25 voucher to use at the hotel restaurant! Below is a picture of me with our voucher.

Our room opened up right in front of the pool. We went for a swim before dinner. The hotel was next to the airport so we had fun watching planes (one of Zach's favorite things to do) while we swam.


We planned to go out to Olive Garden for our anniversary dinner, but found out there was a Famous Daves right down the road. Since we went to Famous Daves for the majority of our dates, we thought it fitting to go there (plus we were both craving some good meat). As Zach would say, "Oh Ye-yah!"

We played the anniversary card, along with the Olson charm, at the restaurant and our waitress was kind enough to bring us a free dessert to celebrate!


We spent the evening reflecting on the past year of marriage: what we've learned, the surprises, our favorite things about marriage, areas of growth, goals for the future... It was a great getaway and a habit we hope to continue in the coming years. We praise God for the gift of marriage every day, and had a wonderful time celebrating.

Hannah's Here!

After the reunion we brought Hannah home with us for a few days (Wahoo!). It was a lot of fun to have her stay with us. We had a movie night, a pedicure night, a beach day, a date night (Hannah and Zach).... but my favorite memory was dancing in the kitchen with Hannah to Kung Fu Fighting...Hoo...Hah!
For dinner the first night we made breakfast for dinner- AKA: Brinner! Hannah is a pro pancake flipper.

Hannah and I took a long stroll around Simcoe one afternoon. There is an on-going joke in the family over the fact that I put too much salt on my food. We noticed a sign for the movie "Salt." I asked if she knew what that one was about and she cracked me up by responding, "No, but I know you would love it!" So we took a picture to remember the funny moment.

It was the sweetest thing. Every morning while I was getting breakfast ready, Zach and Hannah would go out to the garden to check on the growth of our vegetables.

Hannah and I had a girls day out at the beach with some friends. It was the perfect beach day weather. We spent the afternoon playing in the sand, giving each other mud baths (much cheaper than the spa), and ended with slushies.



Burying each other in the sand.

Zach and Hannah had their daily tickle fights...

By the end of the visit we were pooped.

Nyp Reunion...eh!

We got together for a family reunion in Sarnia, Ontario. A grand time was had by all. It was great to get to know my new family and spend some time together. Along with great conversation and delicious food, the fun included games of Flimsy, Baggo, Washers, water fights, a water balloon toss, and a softball game. I feel so thankful to be part of such a fun-loving, warm family. These folks know how to have a good time.

Cal brought along his magnetic fake earring, which led to a few shrieks. Dad Olson and Zach gave it a whirl to see if it added to their coolness. Like Father...

Like son... The wife verdict is in...Nope!

Zach and Devon playing Washers.

There was even a fishing game for the kids where they tossed a fishing line over a tarp and got a prize. Cal got a yo-yo which he was excited to try out.

Ready Set Grow!

We decided to start a garden so we asked a friend to come rototil our garden. Here is our strip of dirt. Ready...
Here is our garden after planting tomatoes, romaine lettuce, a variety of peppers, cucumbers, green peppers and peas. Set...

Grow!

Before...

And after! Lettuce anyone?


Cayenne peppers...hot hot hot!

And some mezzitti peppers

Zach with some homegrown lettuce and peppers. He is eating more salads than ever these days!

Vacation!

We drove to Grand Rapids for our vacation at Barlow Lake. We had a wonderful, relaxing time catching up and spending time with friends and family. We had a LOT of laughs while playing games including Bag-O, Bocce Ball, Flimsee, Jungle Speed, The Game of Things, Rummikub, Ladder Ball, Euchre, Trivial Pursuit, and of course Scrabble. We caught fish, went tubing, skiing, swimming, and for many putt putt rides around the lake. The only bummer was that Barlow Lake claimed another item of mine, my watch, while Zach and I were floating in the water. It happened the last day we were there too- Argh! I suppose that is a small price to pay for the wonderful gift of staying there. Here we are after a busy day just relaxing on the porch while we wait for the 4th of July fireworks.
Oh how we love our putt putt rides around the lake.

Zach went for some sea-doo rides with Alicia and Mom.

Below is a video of Laura and Carter tubing together.

Here we are at one of the many restaurants we had to visit while we were in town, Arnies- Mmmmm... It's always a fun time with the Aunties around.
We spent a Sunday afternoon at Mom and Dad Mallekoote's pool. Here I am holding Rachel. Not sure what I am doing, but Rachel looks adorable.
Daniel needed a nap after all the excitement.
Where two in this family are gathered, there you will find a game of scrabble. Jake couldn't miss out on that!

Below is a video of a cut-throat race between Pieter and Zach at the pool.

Sweet Surprise

June 29 started off just like any other day. I was invited to a friend's house in the morning for what I thought would be a nice quiet get together for the two of us. When I drove into the driveway I spotted many vans already parked and a big birthday banner on the garage with balloons and all! I was super surprised to walk in and find about 15 ladies and all their kids shouting, "Happy Birthday!" This was my first ever surprise party and they definitely got me! Two of my friends, Christina and Lorianne, threw the shindig together.

Below is a picture of Lorianne and me.

What a wonderful morning! But the excitement wasn't over yet. I drove home and I walked into the house and found Zach had baked me a cake while I was away! We had a great afternoon together. Thank you to everyone who called, e-mailed and sent cards. You helped make this birthday very special!

Ahoy!

Zach and I were invited to spend an afternoon on a boat with some friends. We happily accepted! Below is a picture of our sturdy vessel.

Our new friend, Adam Eisinga, came along for the ride. He stayed with us for the weekend because he is a candidate for the co-pastor position at church.

There's nothing like loung'n while touring the shore of Lake Erie.

Captain Zach greatly enjoyed steering on the great open water.

Twins!

We're an Auntie and Uncle again...and again! My sister, Anne, gave birth to two beautiful babies. I had the privilege of meeting them since I was in Grand Rapids babysitting Pieter and Sarah while Anne was in the hospital. Matthew and Rachel were born on June 24, healthy and beautiful. Congratulations Anne and Dave!


Pieter, Sarah, Mom, Dad, and I had a fun time playing together. We went to a playground one morning and had fun exploring.


I definitely didn't think this one all the way through...almost there!

Zach and I painted a chair for Sarah's birthday.

We spent most of our time splashing around in the pool together. Pieter swam on his own for the first time- Go Pieter!


Grandpa and Pieter relax'n it up in the pool.

We celebrated the birth of the twins with ice-cream cones by the pool.
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One of the things I look forward to when coming to town, is connecting with friends. My dear friend, Adri, and her daughter, Siena, were also in town from Missouri so we were very happy to see each together.

Another great friend, Jules, came over for some fun in the sun too.

Pieter, Sarah and I all slept at Grandpa and Grandma's house. We wore matching pajama shirts to bed. Here we are, bright and early, posing for a morning picture.